Daniela Bogantes Salas

"I often hear people say that the American Dream is dead, but I see it as very much alive."

After earning her associate degree from Raritan Community College, Daniela chose Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N) to complete her bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Daniela knew that she wanted to be part of a diverse community. As she learned more about RU-N and the Honors Living and Learning Community through the application and interview process, she could see her values reflected, including searching for truth however difficult. 

Daniela says she frequently hears people say the American Dream is dead, but for her it is very much alive and includes succeeding and helping others succeed by taking advantage of opportunities. Living on the RU-N campus for two years allowed Daniela to see her own immigration as part of a tapestry of diverse stories. This, Daniela says, “Made my heart feel full, knowing that I was not alone and that I could celebrate my own unique story as well as those of others.”

Daniela came to the US with her mother from Costa Rica first to Colorado and then to NJ. Over the course of 20 years, they lived in different and often exceedingly small accommodations – one room, one no bigger than a closet where she and her mother hung their belongings in a single plastic bag each. Now they live in a small apartment and while Daniela is glad to have met many people in shared housing, she notes that “it’s good to have our own space and our own transportation.” 

As a BOLD Scholar, Daniela received support from the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network and describes how seeing a diverse group of women in leadership positions create opportunities for others “made me aware of my own desire to this.”  She founded the student -led group LIGHT: Leaders of Ingenuity, Greatness, Healing, and Thought to create spaces for discussion for individuals identifying as women, gender non-conforming individuals and non-binary individuals. Meeting topics have included relationships, challenges of school and personal life, shared difficulties and always reasons to celebrate. LIGHT has established its own internship program and wanting the group to continue to grow, Daniela stepped back from her founding leadership role and is now advising a new slate of LIGHT leadership. 

Using the colors of the US and Costa Rica flags, red, white, and blue, Daniel decorated her graduation motor board to honor her mother sacrifices and support, writing “Para mi mama que llege sin nade y me dio todo” (To my mom who came with nothing and gave me everything). 

Daniela has accepted a post-graduation fellowship which will allow her to travel back to Colorado working for College Track (Home - College Track) whose stated goal is to help first-generation low-income students. She is looking forward to having her own apartment – another first – and working in a professional capacity.